Advanced Combat Tracker
advancedcombattracker.com
What it is
Advanced Combat Tracker is a free Windows desktop tool for parsing MMO combat logs through plugins. Hosted plugins are listed for EverQuest II, Final Fantasy XIV, Rift, Age of Conan, Aion, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and The Secret World. It can parse logs in real time, import complete log files, or look up older encounters in its History Database. Tables and graphs show combat from an encounter overview down to individual actions; Encounter VCR and Encounter Timeline provide graphical encounter views. Spell timers and custom triggers can respond to matching log lines, capture part of a line, play sounds, or start timers. Exports include formatted text, HTML, XML, and web pages, with FTP uploads and ODBC connectivity also supported. Its .NET plugin system accepts precompiled assemblies or C# and Visual Basic.NET source files. The download page lists ACT Setup version 3.8.5.288 and points users to Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8.1; .NET Core and .NET 5–8 will not work with ACT. An installer and ZIP archive are available.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- ACT is intended as a raid analysis tool for analyzing and understanding the connected game, while player comparisons are a side effect.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Privacy
- The maker says it does not intentionally collect personal information; server logs retain IP address, UserAgent, and URL request indefinitely.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Support
- The ACT forums ask help seekers to mention which game they are using, and direct FFXIV users to a community Discord and setup resources.Read 30 Sep 2026 · forums.advancedcombattracker.com
- Alerts
- ACT includes spell timers and custom triggers that can detect log events, capture parts of a line, play sound alerts, or start timers.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Alerts and timers
- ACT can track countdown timers for parsed skills or events and trigger alerts or timers from matching log lines.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Current download
- The maker's download page lists ACT Setup version 3.8.5.288, modified February 15, 2026.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Download formats
- The maker offers an installer and a ZIP archive; the ZIP includes all files from an ACTv3 installation and the ACTv3 Clipboard Sharer.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Encounter analysis
- Its tables and graphs can show data from an encounter overview down to individual combat actions.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Export and connectivity
- ACT can export formatted text, HTML, XML, and web pages, and supports FTP uploads and database connectivity through ODBC.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Exports
- ACT can export tables or encounters in formats including formatted text, HTML, XML, and web pages, and supports FTP uploads and ODBC database connectivity.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Game support
- Parsing is done through plugins, with hosted plugins listed for EQ2, FFXIV, Rift, Age of Conan, Aion, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and The Secret World.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Local configuration
- After first execution, ACT creates a configuration file under the user's %APPDATA% folder and the download page says it does not specifically save data to the Windows Registry.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Parsing modes
- ACT supports real-time parsing and can import entire log files or search its History Database for older encounters.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Plugin API
- The plugin system is based on .NET and supports precompiled assemblies or C# and Visual Basic.NET source files.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Plugin limitation
- The Cactbot download listing says it requires the latest OverlayPlugin and does not support ACTx86.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Portable use
- Portable mode stores ACT files relative to its program folder, and the maker recommends using the ZIP archive for this mode.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Visual analysis
- Encounter VCR and Encounter Timeline provide graphical views of what happened during an encounter.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Website cookies
- The maker says the main website does not serve ads or use cookies; the user forums may use cookies to keep users logged in.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
- Windows requirement
- The download page says .NET Core and .NET 5–8 will not work with ACT and points users to Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8.1.Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
Plans and prices
Advanced Combat Tracker (freeware) Free Freeware software; Windows desktop download Read 30 Sep 2026 · advancedcombattracker.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free Windows desktop software.
- Parses logs live or imports full files.
- History Database supports older encounter searches.
- Timers and triggers can respond to log events.
- Exports include HTML, XML, and web pages.
Limits
- Windows only.
- Requires Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8.1.
- Cactbot requires OverlayPlugin and excludes ACTx86.
Who it suits
It suits Windows MMO players who want to inspect combat encounters, track log events, or build plugin-based workflows. It is also suited to users who need exports or database connectivity.
Verdict
ACT combines combat-log parsing, encounter views, alerts, and exports in a free Windows download. Check its framework requirement and game-plugin availability before choosing it.
Where Specifiction places it
- Game Damage Meters#2 of 248.3
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